San Miguel leads series 3-2

San Miguel was a team on a mission last night. Seven players led by Danny Seigle (21 points) and Olsen Racela (19 points) scored in double figures to help the Beermen drub Red Bull 111-82, the franchise's second worst loss since a 102-68 beating at the hands of the same squad on August 28, 2002. After Red Bull led 33-32 in the second quarter, the Beermen rattled off 14 straight points to turn the game around. The Barakos never recovered after that. Cyrus Baguio (19 points) and Junthy Valenzuela (15 points) and Larry Fonacier (14 points) carried the fight for the out-of-sync Barakos of Red Bull. The Beermen could finish the series with another victory tomorrow.

Scores:
San Miguel Beer 111 – Seigle D. 21, Racela 19, Gonzales 16, Calaguio 15, Pena 13, Adducul 10, Ildefonso 10, Hontiveros 3, Espinas 2, Wilson 2, Tenorio 0, Tugade 0.
Red Bull 82 – Baguio 19, Valenzuela 15, Fonacier 14, Najorda 9, Alvarez 6, Cruz 5, Pennisi 5, Sharma 3, Robinson 3, Villanueva 2.
Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-52, 76-77, 109-107.

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Series tied 2-2

Red Bull strung up seven straight points in the end game, the last three on a three point heave by Mick Pennisi to rally the Barakos past the San Miguel Beermen 109-107 in their semifinals duel in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. Pennisi sank the go ahead basket on a Junthy Valenzuela pick-and-roll with 6.3 ticks left on the game clock. Pennisi made only 2-10 three pointers for the night but made one that mattered most. The Beermen were poised to win the contest after leading 107-102, the last three on an LA Tenorio three-pointer with time down to 1:48. The Barakos, however, refused to give up the fight and scored in their next two possessions to reduced the lead to a mere point 107-106. An LA Tenorio miss in the Beermen's next possession allowed the Barakos to set up Pennisi's game winning shot. Dondon Hontiveros tried to bring the game to overtime but last second lay-up was blocked by Junthy Valenzuela. Larry Fonacier was hot all game long, scoring 23 points on 4-4 from beyond the arc. Carlo Sharma was another revelation for the Barakos in this game contributing 16 points. San Miguel was led by Danny Seigle's 21 points and Dondon Hontiveros' 17 points.

Scores:
Red Bull 109 – Fonacier 23, Sharma 16, Valenzuela 16, Najorda 14, Alvarez 11, Pennisi 11, Baguio 8, Cruz 7, Villanueva 3, Robinson 0.
San Miguel 107 – Seigle 22, Hontiveros 17, Pena 15, Racela 10, Ildefonso 10, Tenorio 9, Calaguio 9, Wilson 6, Adducul 4, Gonzales 3, Tugade 2.
Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-52, 76-77, 109-107.

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Series tied 2-2

Mark Caguioa scored 26 of his 35 points in the second half as he keyed in Brgy Ginebra's furious attack to dismantle the Talk N Text Phonepals 110-103 in their semifinals duel in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. It was the third time in four games that Caguioa broke the 30-point mark. Rudy Hatfield had another monstrous game with 18 points and 20 rebounds as he along with point guard Jay Helterbrand, who had 14 points and 13 assists, center Rafi Reavis (13 points and 10 boards) provided ample support to help Ginebra control the game in the second half. The Gin Kings dominated the Phone Pals off the boards in the second half 30-20 and outscored them 62-51 after trailing the opening half by four points 48-52. Anthony Washington topscored for Talk N Text with 23 points, but only 2 points in the second half. Game 3 heroes Macmac Cardona and Renren Ritualo were not in the same explosive mode, scoring only 15 and 4 points, respectively. Harvey Carey (21 points and 11 boards) tried to carry the fight by himself but couldn't get the job done without help from his teammates.

Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 110 – Caguioa 35, Hatfield 18, Helterbrand 14, Reavis 13, Tubid 12, Salvacion 7, Holper 5, Mamaril 5, Macapagal 1, Seigle A. 0, Abarrientos 0.
Talk ‘N Text 103 – Washington 23, Carey 21, Taulava 17, Alapag 17, Cardona 15, Ritualo 4, de Ocampo Y. 4, Fran 2, Noble 0, Belano 0.
Quarterscores: 29-29, 48-52, 77-75, 110-103.

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Talk N Text leads series 2-1

The Talk N Text Phonepals proved that their victory over the Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings in game 2 of their semifinals showdown in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup was no fluke. The Phonepals rode on the hot game of gunner Renren Ritualo (29 points, 6-7 from 3-PT) and Macmac Cardona (13 of 18 points in the 3rd period) to led the Phonepals past the Gin Kings 109-100. Asi Taulava scored only 11 points but grabbed a team-high 17 boards. Mark Caguioa topscored for the Gin Kings once again with 26 points. Jayjay Helterbrand had 17 points and a career-high 18 assists. Rudy Hatfield tried to fill the slack left by Eric Menk, mustering 20 points and 19 rebounds but it wasn't enough to lift the Gin Kings.

Scores:
Talk N Text 109 – Ritualo 29, Cardona 18, Carey 15, Alapag 12, Washington 11, Taulava 11, Belano 5, De Ocampo 4, Fran 2, Noble 2.
Ginebra 100 – Caguioa 26, Hatfield 20, Helterbrand 17, Salvacion 16, Reavis 9, Mamaril 6, Abarrientos 4, Tubid 2, Macapagal 0, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 30-30, 63-49, 90-83, 109-100.

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

San Miguel leads series 2-1

It was San Miguel's turn to make a statement. In a game marred by scuffles and several rough plays highlighted by the ejection of Danny Ildefonso on two technical fouls, the Beermen went to the second half all fired up, unleashing their full might to rout the Red Bull Barakos 109-82. It was the worst loss suffered by the Barakos within the last four years. Trailing by two points 46-48 at the end of the first half, the Beermen outscored the Barakos 63-34 the rest of the way to grab the series lead 2-1 in their semifinals duel in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. Danny Seigle scored 27 points to spearhead a balanced attack that saw five other Beermen score in double figures. Red Bull was led by second year man Leo Najorda and Junthy Valenzuela who scored 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Scores:
San Miguel Beer 109 – Seigle D. 27, Ildefonso 16, Adducul 12, Hontiveros 12, Racela 11, Gonzales 10, Tenorio 8, Tugade 7, Wilson 3, Espinas 2, Calaguio 1, Pena 0.
Red Bull 82 – Najorda 15, Villanueva 14, Baguio 11, Pennisi 11, Valenzuela 9, Alvarez 8, Cruz 6, Sharma 5, Fonacier 3, Membrere 0, Bugia 0, Robinson 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 46-48, 77-64, 109-82

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Series tied 1-1

Red Bull decided to turn on the heat in the fourth quarter, scoring a flurry of points to which the Beermen never recovered, scoring a masterful 106-84 rout in their semifinals match-up in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. Up by only three points 64-61 after three quarters, Red Bull, anchored on Junthy Valenzuela's three treys in the payoff period, outscored the Beermen 42-23 in the final canto to win running away. Valenzuela led the Barakos with 22 points. Wesley Gonzales and Danny Seigle led the Beermen with 14 and 13 points.

Scores:
Red Bull 106 – Valenzuela 22, Baguio 12, Najorda 9, Fonacier 9, Cruz 9, Villanueva 9, Pennisi 9, Robinson 7, Sharma 6, Membrere 5, Bugia 5, Alvarez 4.
San Miguel 84 – Gonzales 14, Seigle 13, Tenorio 12, Hontiveros 12, Calaguio 11, Racela 9,. Espinas 4, Wilson 4, Tugade 2, Pena 2, Adducul 1, Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 40-43, 64-61, 106-84

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Series tied 1-1

Macmac Cardona sank a back-breaking triple with one second left in the game as the Talk N Text Phonepals escaped with a 99-96 win over the stunned Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings in their semifinals match in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. Game was tied 96-all when the Phonepals worked the clock to set up Cardona for the game-winning shot. Cardona atoned for his miserable game 1 performance wherein he only scored 4 points. He had 21 points to lead the Phonepals in scoring. He was ably supported by Anthony Washington's 20 points. Asi Taulava, Harvey Carey and Yancy de Ocampo were monstrous on the boards, grabbing a combined total of 34 caroms. Mark Caguioa had 31 points to pace the Gin Kings in a losing cause.

Scores:
Talk ‘N Text 99 – Cardona 21, Washington 20, Alapag 16, Carey 15, de Ocampo Y. Taulava 9, Ritualo 8, Fran 0, Pablo 0, Belano 0.
Barangay Ginebra 96 – Caguioa 31, Reavis 16, Helterbrand 15, Salvacion 11, Hatfield 10, Macapagal 3, Holper 3, Mamaril 3, Abarrientos 3, Tubid 1.
Quarterscores: 23-29, 54-54, 78-71, 99-96

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Brgy Ginebra leads series 1-0

Despite the absence of Eric Menk, Brgy Ginebra rolled on to an easy win over the Talk N Text Phonepals 115-100 in game 1 of their semifinals duel in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. Mark Caguioa was unstoppable early on, scoring 26 of his 34 points after three quarters to dictate the tempo of the match. He led four other Ginebra scorers who scored at least 13 points in the game. Ren Ren Ritualo paced Talk N Text with 24 points. Anthony Washington added 21 points. Mark Cardona, who exploded in their last game against the Gin Kings, was held to only 4 points.

Scores:
Ginebra 115 – Caguioa 34, Tubid 18, Reavis 16, Mamaril 13, Helterbrand 13, Abarrientos 9, Hatfield 7, Salvacion 5, Macapagal 0, Holper 0.
Talk N Text 100 – Ritualo 24, Washington 21, Taulava 14, De Ocampo 13, Carey 8, Alapag 8, Noble 7, Cardona 4, Belano 1, Fran 0, Pablo 0.
Quarterscores: 32-34, 64-45, 94-72, 115-100

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

San Miguel leads series 1-0

San Miguel Beer needed a strong fourth quarter spurt to turn back the gritty Barakos of Red Bull 114-109. Danny Ildefonso and Dondon Hontiveros joined hands together scoring a combined 23 of the Beermen's 32 points in the payoff period to take 1-0 lead in their semifinals showdown in the 2006-07 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup. Danny Seigle paced the Beermen with 21 points. Ildefonso and Hontiveros contributed 18 points apiece. Junthy Valenzuela and Enrico Villanueva paced the Barakos with 20 points each.

Scores:
San Miguel Beer 114 – Seigle D. 21, Hontiveros 18, Ildefonso 18, Tugade 10, Racela 10, Adducul 8, Pena 8, Tenorio 7, Gonzales 6, Wilson 4, Espinas 2, Calaguio 2.
Red Bull 109 – Villanueva 20, Valenzuela 20, Pennis 15, Fonacier 14, Najorda 9, Cruz 8, Sharma 7, Alvarez 6, Membrere 4, Robinson 4, Baguio 2, Bugia 0.
Quarterscores: 25-27, 56-56, 82-88, 114-109

Full Recap / Complete Boxscore

Purefoods high-energy forward Jean Marc Pingris signed a two-year contract extension worth an estimated PHP 10.8 million that will keep him in a Giants' uniform until June 2009. Pingris, the 2005-06 PBA Most Improved Player, will earn at least P300,000 per month although terms were not disclosed. "What he’ll get is close to what he’s been getting," said the source, who requested not to be named.

The Pozorrubio, Pangasinan native hardly played in the team's quarterfinal match up with Talk N Text Phonepals after suffering a broken nose and a left ankle injury. In Game 1, he exploded for 19 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Giants to a pulsating 87-84 win. With injuries hounding him in Game 2 and Game 3, Pingris was never a factor, and as result, the Giants lost the series to the Phonepals 1-3. In 21 games this season with the Giants, he averaged 8.57 ppg, 3.14 rpg and 1.48 bpg.

Pingris was the third overall pick in the PBA 2004 Draft by FedEx (now know as Air21 Express). After playing one forgettable season with the Express where he averaged 4.63 ppg and 3.1 rpg, he was traded to the Giants along with Egay Billones for the Giants' future first round pick. He quickly made an impact to the Giant's roster in the 2005-06 and helped the team advanced to a two finals stint, posting career-highs of 8.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 1.63 bpg, the latter earning him the title of "Tapal King" in the PBA. In the 2005-06 Philippine Cup finals, he was named Finals MVP.

Don't look now but planned PBA stadium could be built near SM Mall of Asia. Henry Sy, owner of mall chain SM department stores has reportedly offered a vast vacant lot in the reclaimed area beside the sprawling SM Mall of Asia along Roxas Boulevard.

The Philippine Basketball Association is also looking at a vacant lot beside the Manila Seedling Bank at the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, and an area within the ultra modern Global City in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Read Full Story here

Former Talk N Text players Yancy de Ocampo and Leo Avenido both of Air21 are now back in the Phonepals' camp following a trade that sent rookies Abby Santos and Mark Andaya and two future first round picks (2009 and 2010) to the Express.

It could be recalled that both de Ocampo and Avenido were traded by Talk N Text to Air21 previously for Anthony Washington and in the three-team deal involving John Ferriols and Willie Miller, Renren Ritualo and Don Allado and TNT future draft picks in 2006 and 2007.

Talk N Text tried to pry away Yancy de Ocampo several times in the offseason but couldn't get a deal to go down. Now, they have Yancy back and their frontline corps look more formidable than before and rival that of SMC sister teams Brgy Ginebra and San Miguel Beer. Consider this: Yancy and Asi at the 4-5 slots with Harvey Carey and Don Allado providing the support inside. This move guarantees a tough match-up to whoever Talk N Text faces in the quarters.

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In the early years of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), there was a restriction that applied to big men Ramon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben. They could only be traded to each other and couldn't be on the same team. The idea was to balance the power or even the competition among the teams in the league. Fernandez and Guidaben were the dominant big men during the PBA's yesteryears and with them on one team would tremendously tilt the balance of the league. Manny Victorino and Yoyoy Villamin would later join that elite list. As parity was achieved that policy was slowly removed. We could see the same policy applying to the league with the recent approval of the Restricted Trading List (RTL) by the PBA Board.

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There are rumors swirling around the Internet that Air21's 6-8 slotman Yancy de Ocampo is on the trading block, and the catch is, he will be donning the Purefoods jersey anytime soon. We just don't know who among the Giants would be the sacrificial lamb to finally bring a legitimate center to the Purefoods' fold. Previous to the Yancy to Purefoods rumor, there were also some rumors linking Yancy and brother Ranidel in a trade that would bring TNT man-mountain Asi Taulava to the Express camp. The TNT management and coaching staff have since squashed that trade rumor but I will not be surprised if they trade Asi soon. Going back to the Yancy to Purefoods' rumored deal, I think this deal has meat, especially if it involves the Air21 franchise. I have never seen a franchise being involved with so many trade deals, controversial ones at that (remember the three-team deal that brought Reavis, Hatfield, and Mamaril to the Brgy Ginebra fold? How about the Anthony Washington & Mark Cardona for Yancy and Patrick Fran trade two seasons ago). There's just no excuse to what they have been doing for the past four years. If they only held on to their players (think Renren Ritualo, Mark Pingris, Ronald Tubid, Cardona, Washington, etc) this would be a lot stronger team. What they're doing to their team has continued to perplex people, pundits alike.

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In a deal that was weeks in the making, the Air21 finally shipped high-flying guard 6-1 Ronald Tubid to crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra for a 2009 first round draft pick and two second round picks in 2007 and 2008. Tubid has been averaging 11 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg and 1.2 spg in 6 games with the Express this season. He gives the Gin Kings an energetic player off the bench or as a starter at point guard if they decide to field a big lineup. Tubid can play at least three positions and that versatility will be a huge boost for the Gin Kings. The addition of Tubid means that the Gin Kings are now "2-deep" at every position.

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With three straight defeats and the title of being the only winless club in the 2006 PBA Talk N Text Philippine Cup, San Miguel Beer knew they had to do something dramatic to swing their fortunes around. Yesterday, they consumated a trade deal with Red Bull Barakos and sister team Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings to bring hotshot Lordy Tugade, shotblocker Omanzie Rodriguez from the Barakos and center Rommel Adducul from Gin Kings to their fold.
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Games on Friday October 19, 2006
Venue: Ynares Center
1ST GAME 4:40 PM Talk N Text Phonepals vs Coca-Cola Tigers
2ND GAME 7:35 PM San Miguel Beer vs Alaska Aces

It was a night of upsets and career games. Ex-Ginebra forward Allan Salangsang scored all but two of his career-high 16 points in the fourth quarter to key the Coca Cola Tigers' breakaway over the defending All-Filipino champs Purefoods Chunkee Giants, 92-77, in the 2006 PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum. Aside from Salangsang, the Tigers also drew some strong games from Jason Misolas (14 points and 10 boards) and rookie Joseph Yeo (13 points), both career-highs.
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Games on Wednesday October 18, 2006
Venue: Araneta Coliseum
Game 1 4:35 PM Coca Cola Tigers vs. Purefoods Chunkee Giants
Game 2 7:20 PM Air21 Express vs. Talk N Text Phonepals

The Welcoat Dragons are slowly getting some well deserved attention in the league. Proving that their win over the Coca Cola Tigers was no fluke, they turned back San Miguel Beer to notch its second successive triumph in the 2006-07 PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup. The Beermen are still winless in three starts, their worst skid at the start of an All-Filipino conference in ten years.
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Games Today (Sunday, October 15, 2006)
Venue: Araneta Coliseum
Game 1 4:05 PM Welcoat Dragons vs San Miguel Beer
Game 2 6:30 PM Brgy Ginebra Gin Kings vs Red Bull Barakos

SAN JUAN - The Purefoods Chunkee Giants blew a 29-point lead in the third quarter but had enough strength to repulse the furious rally put up by the Air21 Express to nail their first win in the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup, 103-101 at The Arena, San Juan. The Express had a chance to steal the game but rookie Arwind Santos' desperation three point attempt bounced off the rim.

Kerby Raymundo presided over the Giants' offense, scoring a game-high 20 points. James Yap tallied only 9 points but Jean Mark Pingris and Richard Yee, who were instrumental in giving the Giants the double digit lead in the first half, provided ample support with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Yancy de Ocampo and Ranidel de Ocampo paced the Express with 19 and 17 points.
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Games on Saturday (October 14, 2006)
Venue: San Juan Arena
Game 1 4:05 PM Sta. Lucia Realtors vs. Alaska Aces
Game 2 6:30 PM Purefoods Chunkee Giants vs. Air21 Express

The Coca Cola Tigers found two unlikely heroes in rookies Chris Pacana and Mike Gavino to shock the Red Bull Barakos and its faithfuls 105-86 in the 2006 PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup main header.

Pacana and Gavino took the cudgels from fellow rookies Ronjay Enrile and RJ Rizada to make a solid impression in their first official game as a professional. Pacana was able to orchestrate the Tigers' plays to perfection and scored timely hits to put the Barakos at bay. He scored 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in just 23 minutes of action. Gavino, on the other hand, managed just 6 points in 20 minutes but had 6 rebounds and held the Tigers' fort when Ali Peek was in foul trouble.
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Games on Friday (October 13, 2006)
Venue: Cuneta Astrodome
Game 1 4:35 PM Talk N Text Phonepals vs Welcoat Dragons
Game 2 7:20 PM Red Bull Barakos vs Coca Cola Tigers

The Ginebra Gin Kings needed a miss from ex-Gin King Aries Dimaunahan at the free throw line and a Ronald Tubid follow-up at the closing seconds of the game to narrowly escape with a win, a 114-113 squeaker, its third in as many starts over the hard-fighting Air21 Express in the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings looked to wrap the game up with a four-point lead but allowed Dimaunahan a potential game-tying four-point play with less than 4 seconds left. Dimaunahan missed the bonus free throw but teammate Tubid came from nowhere to grab the looseball but his buzzerbeating follow-up jumper just bounced off the rim.
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Games on October 11, 2006 (Wednesday)
Venue: Araneta Coliseum
Game 1 4:35 PM San Miguel vs. Sta. Lucia
Game 2 7:20 PM Air21 Express vs. Brgy Ginebra

The Welcoat Dragons chalked up their first win as a professional ballclub. Behind sensational rookie Jay-R Reyes, Welcoat shamed the Coca Cola Tigers, 85-75 in the first game of the Talk N’ Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. The league's youngest player, Reyes, 22, strung up 16 points and grabbed 7 boards and 2 blocks to lead the way for the Dragons.
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Games Today:
October 8, 2006 (Sunday)
Araneta Coliseum
First Game: 4:05 PM Welcoat Dragons vs. Coca Cola Tigers
Second Game:6:30 PM Alaska Aces vs. Talk N Text Phonepals

Dumaguete City - Brgy. Ginebra showed everyone why they are considered the top-seeded team in the tournament. The Gin Kings came with guns ablazing at the Lamberto L. Macias Sports Center to fashion out its second straight blowout win, an 86-67 win over the defending champs and obviously out of sync Purefoods Chunkee Giants to grab a share of the lead in the 2006 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup.
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Red Bull Barako coach Yeng Guiao predicted that they would win the game against the new look San Miguel Beer team who had a new coach in Chot Reyes, rookies LA Tenorio and Gabby Espinas, and free agent pickup Willie Wilson. He almost ate his words. Red Bull needed every effort they can get from Enrico Villanueva, Junthy Valenzuela and Celino Cruz to narrowly escape with a win, 84-79.
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Next Game:

October 6, 2006 (Friday)
Sta. Lucia vs Air21 4:40pm (Cuneta Astrodome)
Red Bull vs San Miguel 7:35pm (Cuneta Astrodome)

October 7, 2006 (Saturday)
Brgy. Ginebra vs Purefoods 4:40pm (Dumaguete City)

The Talk N' Text Phonepals played like a well-oiled machine to repulse the challenges put up by the defending champs Purefoods Chunkee Giants and win the match 108-99. On display right from the opening quarter was the Phonepals' vaunted transition game and perfectly executed plays as they threatened to blow the game wide open. They led the Giants, who thought they were on still vacation, by as much as 21 points in the first half behind the guns of Harvey Carey and Anthony Washington.

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Games on Wednesday, October 4, 2006: (Araneta Coliseum)
4:40 p.m. Coca-Cola vs Alaska
7:35 p.m. Purefoods vs Talk ‘N Text

The Gin Kings taught league neophyte a neat lesson in pro basketball, you gotta have a big heart to succeed. Brgy Ginebra jumped the gun early in the first quarter and never looked back, turning the game into a circus, 102-69. The Gin Kings were paced by Mark Caguioa and Rudy Hatfield who had 23 and 21 points each. Denver Lopez and rookie Froilan Baguion tried to carry the fight for the Dragons but the Gin Kings were just too talented, too focused, and damn too good. If not for the parade of the team muses, e.g. Angelica Panganiban for Brgy Ginebra, Pauline Luna for Talk N' Text, 26K of Deal or No Deal for Purefoods, Valerie Concepcion for San Miguel, and Precious Lara Quigaman for Sta Lucia, this would have been a boring event.

Boxscores:

Ginebra 102 – Caguioa 23, Hatfield 21, Menk 12, Mamaril 11, Salvacion 9, Helterbrand 9, Reavis 8, Abarrientos 4, Macapagal 3, Adducul 2, Holper 0.

Welcoat 69 – Lopez 12, Baguion 10, Reyes 10, Tangkay 8, Wainwright 8, Sta. Maria 7, Cabatu 4, Ibanes 3, Gelig 3, Lao 2, Mente 2, Sagad 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15, 53-34, 72-59, 102-69.

Coach Ryan Gregorio of the Purefoods Chunkee Giants is the PBA Press Corps' pick for Best Coach this year. The youthful coach led the Giants to a championship and runner-up finish in the season's two conferences (Philippine Cup and Fiesta Cup, respectively).
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Here are the results of the 2006 PBA Annual Draft. Who'll emerge as the future superstars of Pinoy basketball? Cliche as it may sound, but only time can truly tell. In my opinion, all the top four picking teams got astounding rookies, especially SMB, which collared not only one, but two of 'em.

First Round

1. Kelly Williams -- Sta. Lucia
2. Arwind Santos -- Air21
3. Joseph Yeo -- Coca-Cola
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PBA Commissioner Noli Eala strikes me as a person who always pushes the envelope, and it looks like he'll do it again in the next PBA season. I don't need any stats for me to believe that last year's tourney was a huge success, and it's only great news to see that the league isn't resting on its laurels.

A short list of possible targets on Eala's mind for the next season, summarized from an article of today's The Philippine Star:

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Congratulations to the Purefoods Chunkee Giants for winning the most prestigious basketball title in the nation, the All-Filipino (Philippine) Cup!

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